Gev, Scaled Scorch + Ashnod's Altar

Gev, Scaled Scorch

Ashnod's Altar

How it works

1. Activate Ashnod's Altar by sacrificing the creature with persist, adding 2.
2. The persist ability triggers, returning that creature to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it, as well as a +1/+1 counter due to Gev.
3. The +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters on that creature are removed as a state-based action.
4. Repeat.

This clever loop relies on Gev, Scaled Scorch to counteract the crippling drawback of the persist mechanic; whenever your creature returns from the graveyard, Gev's static ability ensures it enters with a +1/+1 counter that immediately cancels out its incoming -1/-1 counter as a state-based action. With the slate wiped clean each time, you can feed that creature right back into Ashnod's Altar to generate an endless supply of colorless mana. Because the Altar provides the sacrifice outlet while Gev bridges the gap between deaths and resurgences, this pairing turns any persist creature into a self-sustaining engine for infinite triggers and resources.